Drive Rite Academy — Attraction in New York

If you're looking for a driving instructor who not only teaches you how to drive but also makes the experience fun, memorable, and a bit quirky (in the best possible way), look no further than Drive Rite Academy’s AVERY JONES!!! From the moment I sat in the car with Avery, I knew I was in good hands. Avery’s personality is like a breath of fresh air. He’s warm, funny, and full of energy. He immediately put me at ease, even though I came into this whole driving thing more than a little terrified. He doesn’t just simply show you what to do. Rather, he’s developed a real pedagogy of driving! He takes the time to explain each manoeuvre in a way that actually makes sense and is easy to remember. He’s full of catchy aphorisms like “Driving is Science!”, “ABC: Always Be Curious,” and “Get Waisted!” which, after a couple sessions, truly etch themselves into the deepest recesses of your memory. With his prop toy cars and helpful visual markers (“body at/past the curb” etc), it becomes easy to manoeuvre the car with purpose. I certainly didn’t feel like I was fumbling my way through as I had in the past. But Avery doesn’t stop there. He customizes each lesson to fit his students’ individual needs. He’s extremely thorough: whether it’s fine-tuning parallel parking techniques or talking you through how best to handle test day nerves, Avery’s got your back. He cares about your life outside of driving and always checks in about whatever you’d been chatting about in the last lesson. I was also really touched when Avery gave me a copy of a zine (which a previous student had made for him) with all his driving aphorisms. It just shows how much Avery cares about his students and their learning experience. I also can’t speak highly enough of the whole team at Drive Rite Academy. Kim, who works in the office, is an absolute gem. She’s incredibly kind, patient, and always willing to work with you on scheduling to make things as easy as possible. I also had some lessons with Jay and David, who were both wonderful. I’m seriously impressed with the level of care and professionalism across the board. I’m happy to report that I passed my driving test, and I honestly don’t think I could have done it without Avery’s guidance. What started as something I was genuinely scared of turned into an actual pleasure to learn, and that’s all thanks to Avery. I cannot recommend Drive Rite Academy enough, but especially Avery. If you want to learn from the best, Avery’s your guy! Thank you, Avery (and everyone at Drive Rite), for making this such a great...

To fully explain why Avery Jones is a wonderful driving instructor, allow me to talk just a little bit about myself. When I was 10, I was in a pretty bad car accident. I was lucky to come out of it unscathed- except for a lifelong fear of driving. I went to boarding school, then college in a town with tons of public transit, NYC... all places where I could get away with not having a license.

Fast forward to my early 30s, I got sick of depending on other people to get me places. I found that not being able to drive conflicted with my love for travel and the pride I hold in my independence. I finally put my foot down and decided I would conquer a fear that was holding me back.

I tried a couple of different instructors before I had the chance to take a lesson with Avery. During our first lesson, we didn't even start the car- he pointed out all the little things I was missing during setup that made a huge difference for me when applied. What differentiates Avery from most instructors is that he teaches you how to truly drive, not how to pass a road test. My brain could never retain all the "tips and tricks" because I wasn't understanding the fundamentals of how a car works as a machine and how you relate to other cars on the road. His commitment to creating a solid foundation is helping me slowly but surely defeat my anxiety and feel more confident at the wheel.

On top of his excellent curriculum, Avery has a truly inspiring presence as a coach. You can tell that teaching is his passion and his calling. His energetic personality and catchphrases like "Always Be Curious" "Get Waisted" "Driving is Science" make every lesson fun. If you want to know what those mean... well... you'll just have to take a lesson with him!!!

To learn something new is really hard, especially when it's a skill most people learn in their teens- well, it has been for me, at least. Like many people, I can be very hard on myself, and I'm so grateful that Avery has been so kind, encouraging, and patient with me- and encouraging me to give myself that same kindness.

Today, after many lessons with Avery, I passed my road test!!!!!!!!!...

Avery Jones is truly a gem of a driving instructor! After a hiatus of 12 years since my driver's ed days, I found myself lacking confidence behind the wheel. Enter Avery, and everything changed. His approach is nothing short of transformative.

One of Avery's standout qualities is his knack for turning complex driving maneuvers into simple, memorable acronyms. Take "ABC" for instance - "always be curious." It's not just a catchy phrase; it's a mindset that has kept me calm and focused on the road, preventing any nervous spirals. His mantra of "driving is science" serves as a constant reminder of the physics at play, especially regarding momentum, ensuring safe and efficient driving.

In just two lessons, Avery worked his magic and demystified parallel parking and 3-point-turns for me. These were skills I struggled with for years, but under his guidance, they became second nature.

Beyond his expertise, Avery is just a genuinely lovely person. His patience, encouragement, and positive demeanor create an environment where learning feels effortless and enjoyable.

I am immensely grateful to have found Avery, and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone in need of a skilled instructor who understands the needs of new or nervous drivers like myself. Thanks to Avery, I now feel confident and empowered behind the wheel.

Additionally, Isaura is an exceptional instructor who made the 5-hour class a truly engaging and informative experience. Her interactive teaching style kept us all involved and focused throughout the session. Using a variety of tools, from diagrams to toy cars, videos, and photos, she brought every aspect of driving to life, making even the most complex topics easy to understand. Isaura's passion for teaching and her wealth of knowledge about all things driving-related shone through in every aspect of the class. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to take the...